Transformations: Three Stylish Kitchen Makeovers in Westchester

From so-so to sensational: three stylish makeovers that keep the cook—and company—happily ensconced in the kitchen

By Nancy L. Claus

Who wants to cook alone? Half the fun of making a meal is having a little company to perhaps share a glass of wine or two with during all the slicing, dicing, and sautéing. These kitchens were designed to keep friends and family close, lingering by the fire, around the breakfast table, or nestled on cozy window seats while the family chef performs culinary magic.

Santa Fe Influence

While Susan and Avraham Merav's original kitchen was serviceable (indeed, all the cabinets and appliances were donated to Habitat for Humanity), the couple wanted something more sleek and stylish. “Susan’s love for Sante Fe’s vibrant, earthy tones and the collection of modern art and sculptures throughout her home were the inspiration for this kitchen,” says Snaidero Design Associate Sandra Mora, who was asked to take on the renovation. One major challenge was to incorporate all the extra appliances—built-in coffee machine, refrigerator, and warming drawers—that Susan wanted without compromising storage or counter space and while maintaining the kitchen's clean lines. She chose simple white lacquer cabinets with aluminum trim details from Snaidero’s Idea Pininfarina line, which seamlessly unite the appliances into the cabinetry. The glass tile backsplash, a modern interpretation of terra cotta, is reminiscent of adobe homes found in New Mexico.
“This kitchen project was a collaboration and a labor of love,” Mora says. “Susan found her custom colored counters on a trip to the IceStone factory in the Brooklyn Navy Yard, where she toured with a hard hat and goggles. She fell in love with this particular recycled glass counter.” The happy result of this collaboration is an open and inviting space for family dining and entertaining.

Farmhouse Chic

Benjamin and Anita Rosner love to entertain, but their 1896 Victorian farmhouse kitchen was small and lacked counter and storage space. “Our refrigerator sat in an alcove by the back door and our range was tucked into what was originally a fireplace,” Anita says. “The first time we hosted Thanksgiving, I had to cook half of the meal in my neighbor’s kitchen and the rest in my own.”
After the back wall was bumped out and the kitchen totally reconfigured, space is no longer a problem. To ensure the new kitchen blended in with the style and charm of the home while still being functionally modern, the Rosners selected non-lacquered brass hardware and lighting fixtures so they will develop a patina over time. And while they loved the look of the original hardwood floors, they found them impractical. The solution? Porcelain tiles that look like hardwood planks but are more durable. Radiant heat beneath ensures warm tootsies no matter the outside temperatures.

A United Front

Louis Singer and Adele Centanni's original kitchen and adjoining living area did not connect aesthetically or encourage interaction. To integrate the two disparate rooms, Maryann Syrek of M. Studio Gallery extended a peninsula into the dining/family space, using a complementary color palette and installing French limestone flooring throughout. A built-in office keeps household paperwork neatly out of view while the snazzy ribbon-flame fireplace invites family, friends, kids, even the dog, to linger while meals are being prepared, and long afterward.
“My client prefers organic surfaces and natural, earthy tones, so I used a leather-like finish on the granite tops and soft glazes over the paint,” Syrek says. “The warm wood tones are a custom mix, and the glass backsplash and beveled detail on the china closet inset add a little snap and sparkle.”